Effectiveness of bradyrhizobium japonicum (MAR1305) inoculation in different soil ph levels on germination percentage and yield performance of soyabean · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Chimhuka, Melissa.

Title

Effectiveness of bradyrhizobium japonicum (MAR1305) inoculation in different soil ph levels on germination percentage and yield performance of soyabean

Abstract

Zimbabwe is experiencing an increase in Soyabean (Glycine max) production as a result of its contributions to poverty alleviation, food and nutrition security, and as a major foreign currency earner. However, productivity is still declining due to decreased soil fertility and expensive inorganic fertilizer prices. As a result, a study was conducted in the 2022/2023 cropping season at Blackforby Agricultural College to investigate the effectiveness of Bradyrhizobium japonicum MAR 1503 inoculation in different soil pH levels on soya beans germination % and yield performance. All the treatments were tested for germination %, and yield performance. The experiment was designed using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with six treatments replicated three times, (Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation in Neutral soils pH) (B. japonicum inoculation in Acidic soils pH 5.5), (B. japonicum inoculation in Alkali soils pH 8) and (without inoculation in Neutral soils pH), (without inoculation in Acidic soils pH 5.5) and (without inoculation in Alkali soils pH 8) were the treatments. The data was analyzed using ANOVA with GENSTAT 18th edition, and LSD (P<0.05) was used to distinguish between significantly distinct means. There was no significant different (p < 001) on germination % which shows no interaction between B. japonicum and soil pH, as soybean inoculated with B.japonicum in neutral pH performed better than in acidic and alkali pH treatments. Bradyrhizobium japonicum in Neutral pH and treatment without B. japonicum in Neutral pH germinated first before other treatments. There were also significantly differences in final yield components between inoculated treatment in different pH levels and the uninnoculated treatments in different pH levels (P<0.05). Results showed that combination of Bradyrhizobium japonicum MAR 1503 and Neutral pH produced high quality and quantity soyabean.

Date

2023

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Soyabean production

Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Nitrogen fixation

Supervisor

Kamota, A

Chikasha, T